217 CHAPTER 217 Domesticated

　　SOUNDTRACK: “Masquerade” by Euphoria + Bolshiee.

　　*****

　　~ NATALIE ~

　　Taking a shower was heavenly—even in a male’s bathroom that was a little more cramped than I was used to, and had a curtain instead of a door.

　　Sharing the River House with Mack had been a treat—spacious and clean and quiet. This felt more… domesticated. Like it was real. Like he was mine.

　　Washing my hair in the shower while he came in and out of the bathroom was a strange kind of comfort I hadn’t anticipated.

　　There was still tension and nerves in me. Still fear wanting to claw its way to the surface. But I held it at bay. Helping Mack through that moment had helped me focus too, brought me back to a place where action was necessary and I wasn’t buried in my own head. I didn’t want to lose that.

　　When I got out of the shower, Mack handed me a towel. As I dried off I realized he was lathering his face up to shave.